Miami linebacker Ramon Buchanan enters pre-trial diversion program

CORAL GABLES--University of Miami linebacker Ramon Buchanan has enrolled in a pre-trial diversion program, which if completed, will clear him of two felony charges stemming from last month's arrest.

Buchanan, 21, must complete 100 hours of community service, write letters of apology to the two police officers involved in the incident and donate $300 to community programs as part of an agreement reached by the state attorney's office and Buchanan's attorney, Joseph Rosenbaum.

Rosenbaum said Buchanan has already completed some of the community service hours served at the Miami Police Department and written the letters of apology to the officers. He has also met with one of the two officers to apologize in person, Rosenbaum added.

"He has remorse for what happened and he's relieved it's coming to an end," Rosenbaum said. "It's a life-learning experience that he will grow from."

Buchanan did not appear in court for Monday's preliminary hearing in front of Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat, at which time the agreement was announced.

Buchanan was facing felonies for resisting arrest and battery after allegedly spitting on and attempting to head-butt an officer, as well as three misdemeanors following his March 18 arrest at Fat Tuesday's in Coconut Grove.

"It was a little mixture of everything--misunderstandings, maybe, poor communication, and things escalated," Rosenbaum said. "Nobody was hurt. That's an important thing. Despite the charge, nobody was hurt. And that's a good thing."

Buchanan was suspended indefinitely from the team four days after his arrest and reinstated April 7. Coach Al Golden said in announcing Buchanan's reinstatement, "I'm going to keep private what we've asked him to do, but it was a considerable amount of things and it'll be ongoing throughout the summer."

Rosenbaum said Buchanan has written about eight apology letters in all, including one to Golden, University of Miami president Donna Shalala, then-acting athletic director Tony Hernandez and the manager of Fat Tuesday's.

"Ray's a good person that had a bad day," Rosenbaum said. "This could have happened to anybody. It's totally out of character for him. He's a good student. He's quiet. He's motivated. He's a good guy."